Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, was among well wishers that paid last respect to the late Statesman Sir Valentine Attah, describing his demise as untimely and a great loss to the state.
The Governor made the remarks while speaking at the funeral service in honour of the Late Sir Attah, conducted by Cathedral Church of All Saints, Nigeria, the Anglican Communion, at Plot 1B Valentine Attah Crescent, GRA Osongoma road, Uyo.
He described Attah as a thoroughbred professional and a man of many parts, who has been a blessing not just to his family but the larger society, while encouraging the family to be consoled by the fact that his short lifetime was well spent.
“He is somebody I’ve worked with closely and personally, I can tell you he’s a very rare breed, a thoroughbred professional civil servant. I know we’ll really miss him. The entire state will really miss him, but one thing we should console ourselves with is that in most cases, it’s not how long but how well.
“If you take time to read through the life and times of this our brother you’ll know that he lived well. People loved him, he’s been there for people not only for his family but different organizations and I really want to believe that he’s not only going to be missed by the family but a lot of us.
The political class will also miss him”, the Governor added.
Governor Emmanuel said the timing of Sir Valentine Attah’s demise has made bidding him farewell a difficult thing to do.
According to him, “the most difficult aspect is telling a brother goodnight when it is still very much day time”.
He prayed that God would comfort and become a help to his wife, children and other dependants left behind.
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He, however, admonished that those privileged to live and gather to pay respect to the departed should draw lessons about the realities of life and be mindful of their duty to fear God and keep his commandments.
Sir Valentine Ime Attah had served and risen in the top echelon of the Akwa Ibom State public service.
He was Permanent Secretary of various Ministries, Dean of the College of Permanent Secretaries, Chairman of various boards and commissions and at some point chairman of all board chairmen in the state as well as other roles he played.
He was a Knight of St. Christopher in the Anglican Communion, Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International, one time national president of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio and Chairman, Board of Trustee, Mboho Nkaiso Ndito Iboko since 2016 till his demise on October 22, 2020.
Delivering a homily at the event on the topic, “the Rich Fool”, drawn from Luke 12:13-21, the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Calabar Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Tunde Adeleye said Jesus did not refer to the biblical figure as rich fool because he was rich, as God delights in man’s prosperity, but because when he became rich he exalted himself and disregarded God.
The cleric exhorted that no matter the status a man attains, none can be compared to the salvation of his soul and assurance of eternal life with God, hence man ought to draw close to God and honour him as his maker while he lives.
